Spine and Joint Recovery

About the programme

Spine and joint recovery: 30 years of experience at CALENDULA Clinic

Treating the cause, not the symptoms. Restoring freedom of movement.

Back pain or restricted joint mobility is only the tip of the iceberg. The underlying causes often include hidden factors: pathological protective muscle tension (muscle guarding), degeneration of the intervertebral discs, nerve-root compression and systemic metabolic inflammation that can prevent tissues from recovering fully for years.

At CALENDULA Clinic, we have combined academic vertebroneurology, modern device-based technologies and in-depth metabolic medicine. Our aim is not to temporarily “mask” pain, but to address the primary source, restore physiological biomechanics and restore the patient’s ability and skills to support the body’s self-regulation.

Key areas and capabilities of the clinic

• Precise vertebroneurological diagnostics: Comprehensive medical assessment of neurological status, musculoskeletal biomechanics, posture and muscle guarding. Where necessary, the programme is supplemented with imaging: MRI, X-ray and ultrasound of the neck vessels and joints.

• Manual medicine and defanotherapy: Gentle mobilisation techniques, post-isometric relaxation (PIR) and defanotherapy. These address functional blocks and pathological spasm, normalise spinal motion segments and help the body develop a natural, symmetrical muscular support system.

• Advanced device-based physiotherapy: Robotic BTL-6000 Traction (programmable cyclical traction for disc decompression and hernia regression), high-intensity SIS magnetic therapy (up to 2.5 T for relief of deep spasms and neurostimulation), the BTL 6000 high-power laser for tissue bioregeneration, as well as DUOLITH SD1 shockwave therapy (focused and radial waves for trigger points, osteoarthritis, enthesopathies and heel spurs), electrophoresis and myostimulation.

• Regenerative medicine and targeted pain therapy: Targeted therapeutic injections to rapidly relieve acute pain and interrupt the pathological “pain — spasm” cycle, metameric neurotherapy, reflexotherapy, and stimulation of cartilage and ligament recovery using autologous plasma (PRP therapy / plasma lifting) and collagen injections.

• Systemic metabolic module (Ayurveda and hydrotherapy): Deep cleansing according to Panchakarma protocols, phytotherapy, Zalmanov turpentine baths (capillary therapy), therapeutic nutrition and Ayurvedic procedures (Abhyanga, Udvartana, Shirodhara). They act on the metabolic cause by reducing systemic chronic inflammation and restoring tissue trophism.

• Active rehabilitation and movement habits: Individual therapeutic exercise, kinesitherapy, autopsychophysical exercises and teaching patients PIR techniques for independent use at home. The patient becomes an active participant in their own recovery.

Conditions we work with

• Spinal conditions: Osteochondrosis, protrusions and herniated intervertebral discs, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis, grade I–III scoliosis, kyphosis, vertebral artery syndrome, low back pain, cervicalgia, thoracalgia, radiculopathies and sciatica.

• Joint and ligament conditions: Osteoarthritis of the knees and hips (grades I–II), shoulder periarthritis, bursitis, epicondylitis, tendinopathies, Achilles tendon pain and heel spur.

• Neurological syndromes: Tension-type and vertebrogenic headaches, entrapment neuropathies, muscular-tonic pain, neuralgias and the effects of previous strokes.

• Rehabilitation: Recovery after spinal and joint surgery, and rehabilitation after sports and everyday injuries and fractures.

Stages of the treatment process

1. Diagnostics and strategy — Consultation with a vertebroneurologist, clinical assessment of biomechanics, muscle and nervous system status, and development of an individual treatment plan.

2. Pain and inflammation control — Targeted injections, high-intensity physiotherapy (laser, SIS) and gentle relaxation techniques.

3. In-depth biomechanical correction — BTL traction, manual therapy, defanotherapy, shockwave therapy and metameric treatment.

4. Regenerative and metabolic support — PRP therapy, collagen injections, Zalmanov baths, a Panchakarma course and phytotherapy.

5. Building muscular support — Therapeutic exercise, consolidation of a physiological movement pattern and provision of tools for independent health management.

Restore freedom to every movement. The procedures, intensity and programme parameters are selected strictly on an individual basis by the treating physician according to the initial examination and assessment.

Diagnostics and pain relief

A short, complete course to assess the causes of pain, select appropriate support and begin suitable activity.

Medical component. Consultation, necessary investigations and medication where indicated. Where clearly justified, a therapeutic injection may be used after contraindications and risks have been discussed.

Manual methods. Gentle manual therapy and post-isometric relaxation — relaxing a muscle after slight contraction — taking the severity of acute symptoms into account.

Physiotherapy. BTL 6000 high-intensity laser, BTL SIS high-intensity magnetic therapy, electrophoresis or local applications are selected according to the specific clinical goal. Reflexotherapy is considered an additional method.

Movement. Instruction in appropriate exercises, comfortable body positions and a gradual return to everyday activity.

Programme goals and final consultation. To assess pain and mobility, explain the next steps and prepare a home exercise programme with follow-up timing.

Mobility and physical rehabilitation

A stand-alone course combining therapeutic procedures with regular work on movement. Initial diagnostics and final assessment are included in this format regardless of whether the shorter programme has been completed.

Medical component. Examination, investigations where indicated, and monitoring of changes in pain, strength and everyday activity.

Active rehabilitation. Therapeutic exercise, kinesitherapy, exercises for muscle strength and mobility, and training in muscle relaxation and movement routines.

Manual methods. Gentle manual therapy, massage, post-isometric relaxation and individually selected defanotherapy — work with protective muscle tension.

Device-based support. DUOLITH SD1 shockwave therapy for suitable tendon conditions and enthesopathies, BTL 6000 laser, BTL SIS and electromyostimulation. The method is selected according to the clinical goal and acceptable load.

Additional options. The possible use of BTL-6000 Traction, metameric therapy, PRP — injection of the patient’s own platelet-rich plasma — and collagen injections is discussed separately. These methods do not provide grounds for promising cartilage restoration or elimination of a hernia.

Recovery. Abhyanga, Udvartana, Shirodhara, suitable balneotherapy, personalised nutrition and herbal support. Panchakarma is considered a separate supportive component with preparation and recovery and does not replace orthopaedic treatment.

Programme goals and final consultation. To consider pain, range of motion and tolerance of activity together. You receive a personalised exercise programme, treatment recommendations and guidance on further follow-up.

Rehabilitation tailored to your individual needs

This format is suitable for complex combinations of symptoms, postoperative recovery or specific activity limitations. The duration and sequence of work are determined after assessment of your condition.

Medical component. Review of the diagnosis and previous treatment, coordination of rehabilitation goals with the relevant specialist, and necessary investigations.

Movement and procedures. An individual therapeutic exercise programme, appropriate manual and device-based methods, and monitoring of load and tolerance. Supportive procedures are selected according to symptoms and stage of recovery.

Programme goals and final consultation. To assess achievable functional changes and prepare the next stage of rehabilitation. You receive recommendations on home exercises, restrictions and follow-up timing; the need for other treatment is determined by the medical situation.